URC 2023/2024 Round 13

[Leonormous Boozer]

I hear you and you might have been hyperbolic when saying leaps and bounds but the table doesn't suggest Benneton are on another planet to Ospreys. They could finish below the Ospreys this season. I wouldn't bet on it though.

The battle for the last three playoff spots is mad.

6-11 within 3 points of each other and a lot of games in SA to be played. I fancy Lions, Edinburgh and another based on schedules, Benetton if they hold home court should be good.

 

[Welsh Exile]

The battle for the last three playoff spots is mad.

6-11 within 3 points of each other and a lot of games in SA to be played. I fancy Lions, Edinburgh and another based on schedules, Benetton if they hold home court should be good.

Yeah, we have Stormers and Bulls away, then a nice easy trip to Ireland to play Leinster followed by Dragons at home last game of the season. So what? A couple of losing bonus points if we're lucky in the first 3 games and hopefully a bonus point win against Dragons. Not optimistic at all and to be honest Ospreys have massively ridden their luck and scrapped through a lot of games this season. Not to take anything away from us as we've been the most consistent Welsh region but certainly going to be a tricky end to the season.

Tipuric's hair do is immense though.

 

[dirty harry]

I hear you and you might have been hyperbolic when saying leaps and bounds but the table doesn't suggest Benneton are on another planet to Ospreys. They could finish below the Ospreys this season. I wouldn't bet on it though.

Of course lol.

I would put my money on Bennetton finishing above us all, and for the foreseeable I envisage them being stronger.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Of course lol.

I would put my money on Bennetton finishing above us all, and for the foreseeable I envisage them being stronger.

Yeah fair. Ospreys just play such a boring brand of rugby as well. Hard to really get behind and even harder to see us really progressing.

 

[dirty harry]

Yeah fair. Ospreys just play such a boring brand of rugby as well. Hard to really get behind and even harder to see us really progressing.

To be fair o Booth, that boring brand is designed to secure LBP, and beat the chaff of the league.

Beating the likes of 3 regions, Zebre and the odd understrengthed SA club will guarentee champions cup rugby next season.

Cardiff on the other hand, seem to be playing for lBP's, we struggle to go for the W. Those 2 Scarlets losses were devastating, and wouldnt have happened under Dai!!!

 

[dullonien]

To be fair o Booth, that boring brand is designed to secure LBP, and beat the chaff of the league.

Beating the likes of 3 regions, Zebre and the odd understrengthed SA club will guarentee champions cup rugby next season.

Cardiff on the other hand, seem to be playing for lBP's, we struggle to go for the W. Those 2 Scarlets losses were devastating, and wouldnt have happened under Dai!!!

I'm optimistic about both regions going forward. Both appear to have a good crop of youngsters ready to step up.

There could be an argument for Cardiff and Ospreys to be Wales' premier regions, with Dragons and Scarlets becoming more of developmental regions. Could add a third developmental region in North Wales.

 

[dirty harry]

I'm optimistic about both regions going forward. Both appear to have a good crop of youngsters ready to step up.

There could be an argument for Cardiff and Ospreys to be Wales' premier regions, with Dragons and Scarlets becoming more of developmental regions. Could add a third developmental region in North Wales.

Is that optimism or delusion?

Cuts in funding again next year, the already bare bones squads need to trim some even more fat ffs.

 

[dullonien]

Is that optimism or delusion?

Cuts in funding again next year, the already bare bones squads need to trim some even more fat ffs.

Squad size is an obvious issue, but both regions have made some decent signings (Sheedy being a prime example). There's a couple of props leaving, which isn't ideal, but both sides already have international alternatives.

Maybe it's a little delusional though!

 

[dirty harry]

Squad size is an obvious issue, but both regions have made some decent signings (Sheedy being a prime example). There's a couple of props leaving, which isn't ideal, but both sides already have international alternatives.

Maybe it's a little delusional though!

I mean, signing Sheedy seems decent on the surface, hes similar in level to Debeer, but will offer another option and increase depth...

However, losing Carre, who is easily our most dynamic ball carrying forward, let alone prop, losing a top class SH in Tomos, and rumours of Grady, and Thomas Young leaving...

I mean the 2 big names joining recently, have been 2 college kids coming home after finishing their studies to rejoin the academy.

Cardiff, and ospreys will be weaker next season, guaranteed, and it wouldnt surprise me if all 4 regions finished in the bottom 5 places.